16 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1885. 



results in, if it does not actually produce, mildew or frost. 

 For, as to the mystery of existence — vegetable or other — who 

 shall say that movement is not very life ? 



Within how few years has the out-door Grape attained its 

 position ? It seems but yesterday that the Concord, — the pioneer 

 in modern American Viticulture, — was introduced. Now, we 

 are perplexed by the multitude of candidates for popular favor — 

 whose name may well be legion and whose advocates too often 

 appear possessed. Which varieties, or howsoever many, shall 

 finally achieve unchallenged preeminence, — one thing is defini- 

 tively settled : The Grape can be grown and perfectly matured, 

 in Worcester County, in any reasonable exposure, out-doors, 

 four years out of five. 



But, every year, we are confronted, — would that 1 could say — 

 affronted, — by some new Raspberry that has approved itself 

 hardy ! Usually it is Rubus Ocddentalis^ — a Thimble-berry, or 

 black-cap ; grown by those who know of nothing better ; or 

 who, if well informed, 



" Still the worse pursue." 



Your Secretary must have wearied you by his constant itera- 

 tion of the truth that no variety of Rubus IdcBus can endure a 

 New England winter, unprotected. But the warning falls upon 

 heedless ears ; and the inexperienced grower yields himself a 

 willing dupe to glib assurances that in this, or that, newer 

 miracle, scepticism will be confounded. 



A plant, or shrub, may survive a single winter, or more trying 

 spring, apparently unharmed, if circumstances are exceptional. 

 But the need of resistance to intense cold, or to piercing winds, 

 involves a fearful draft upon its vitality, — an exaction whereto it 

 will surely succumb sooner or later. When vegetation of any 

 kind is hardy it can be so demonstrated. But let all who would 

 possess themselves of a new fruit bear in mind that cheek is 

 ample; assurance brazen; greed omnipresent and unscrupulous; 

 and that it will be vastly cheaper to allow the hardiness, so 

 confidently asserted, to be proved by Time, before incurring 

 expense or suffering disappointment. Though trite it cannot be 

 repeated too often : patient waiters will not be losers ! 



